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Open Access Research Article Issue
Phase-regulated ultrathin PVDF-based electrolytes for dynamic dendrite suppression in solid-state lithium metal batteries
Nano Research 2025, 18(8): 94907631
Published: 18 July 2025
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The pursuit of safer batteries has driven significant research efforts toward solid-state lithium metal cells. To achieve an energy density comparable to that of liquid electrolyte-based cells, the development of ultrathin and lightweight solid electrolytes with superior performance is essential. However, fabricating solid electrolytes with thicknesses comparable to those of commercial separators (~ 10 μm) used in liquid systems remains challenging because of the increased risk of short circuits caused by dendrite growth. In this study, we present a polymer-based solid-state electrolyte composed of a 7.3 μm-thick ultrathin poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) film embedded with highly oriented Ti3C2Tx (Tx represents abundant surface functional groups) nanoflakes. Functionalized nanoflakes induce PVDF β-phase formation through hydrogen bonding, significantly improving dielectric and piezoelectric properties. These improvements enable a Li+ transfer number of 0.83 and ~ 10-fold enhancement in piezoelectric response. A high Li+ transfer number reduces polarization by suppressing space-charge formation during Li plating. Simultaneously, when the electrolyte senses strain accumulation from inevitable Li protrusions, the piezoelectric-induced electric field promptly alleviates the localized overpotential, dynamically promoting uniform Li deposition. Consequently, these electrolytes exhibit exceptional compatibility with Li anode, enabling long-term cycling under various conditions. The symmetric Li||Li cells demonstrate stable operation for over 3000 h without any micro-short circuits, whereas the LiFePO4||Li full cells maintain high Coulombic efficiency (> 99.7%) and good stability through 300 cycles at 1 C.

Open Access Research Article Issue
In-situ prepared plasmonic V2O3−x catalyst: Catalyzing CO2 reduction via surface plasmon resonance in near-infrared region
Nano Research 2025, 18(6): 94907426
Published: 24 May 2025
Abstract PDF (106.8 MB) Collect
Downloads:305

This study focuses on V2O3−x nanoparticles and systematically analyzes them as plasmonic solar-driven catalysts for the first time. It reveals that they exhibit the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption characteristics in the near-infrared regions. By integrating in-situ characterization and theoretical calculation results, the mechanism of in-situ generation of oxygen vacancies (Vo) in V2O3 under irradiation and subsequently transformed into catalytically active V2O3−x is elucidated. Furthermore, the process in which V2O3−x generates hot electrons and holes through plasmon damping is analyzed, as well as its excellent effects in increasing the local temperature, providing active sites, and enhancing the light absorption capacity. V2O3−x demonstrates excellent performance in the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction, with a CO conversion rate of 668.48 mmol·g−1·h−1, with a CO selectivity exceeding 99.9%, and long-term stability for 90 h, highlighting the great potential of metal oxide plasmas in solar-driven catalysis. This research provides crucial insights into enhancing the solar-chemical energy conversion efficiency by utilizing the synergistic effect of LSPR and intrinsic interband transitions.

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